Saddam's Execution

I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this. I am not against the death penalty at all, but with this specific case, it is a much trickier situation. On one hand, if they do not execute him, for the rest of his life it is possible the Iraqi government would have to deal with attempts to free the former leader. On the other hand, if Saddam were to sit in a small jail cell for the rest of his life with the knowledge his regime fell and his country is now "free" (at least closer to being free than when he was ruling it anyway), that would be the ultimate punishment. By killing him, he will never have to think about it again, and by killing him, he will and already does view himself as a martyr as do his followers.

I had similar thoughts about the case of Scott Peterson who was sentenced to death for killing his wife Laci and their unborn son Connor, though I would much rather Peterson been given life without parole. He was in a cell that overlooked the site where Laci and Connor were found, for cryin' out loud. He would have to look out that window every single day for the rest of his life and know that he FAILED. As narcissistic, as much of a sociopath as Peterson is, that punishment is worse than death. To know he will never be able to do whatever he wanted again, to know that he did not get away with the 'perfect crime', that's a greater punishment than death because it would eat at him for the rest of his life. All killing him will do is allow him to never have to think about it again.

I kind of went off on a tangent but I am sure you're used to that by now. CNN.com is reporting that Saddam has been handed over to the Iraqi authorities now so it is only a matter of hours, I'm sure. I know people say he needs to pay for what he did and killing all those people and I couldn't agree more. However, by killing him, he will never have to think about it or his failure to retain power again. And aside from that, what has capturing Saddam really done? Yes, he is an evil dictator and needed to be removed, but innocent civilians just trying to go about their daily lives are still dying in Iraq. US and Iraqi soldiers trying to protect these civilians are still dying in Iraq. Saddam's capture hasn't slowed the insurgents, it's made them more determined; where one leader is captured and taken away, another steps up and takes his place and continues to give and carry out orders. It's not going to stop because Saddam is dead, and I just hope everyone realizes that.